Water main flushing with high pressure jetting

ABSTRACT

A high pressure jetting system for use with a water supply system includes a recirculating unit to connect to an isolated section of the water supply system. The isolated section remains under water supply system pressure. The recirculating unit includes a filter unit and a pump unit capable of generating a circulating flow of water. A first pig launch and recovery apparatus couples a first hydrant to the recirculating unit and a second pig launch and recovery apparatus couples a second hydrant to the recirculating unit. A jetting unit including a jetting head is coupled to a jetting hose. The jetting unit enters the closed circuit through the second pig launch and recovery apparatus and travels within the isolated section. The jetting head emits a plurality of water jets to assist removal of material from an inner surface of the water mains and pipes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/575,537, filed Sep. 19, 2019, entitled PIGLAUNCH AND RECOVERY APPARATUS AND PIG THEREFOR, the entirety of which isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and equipment for inspecting,cleaning and maintaining a water main or other type of piping system,and in particular, to a pig launch and recovery apparatus and pigtherefor, and a method of inspecting, cleaning and maintaining a sectionof water main between hydrants using the pig and pig launch and recoveryapparatus under system pressure and using a circulating flushing flow.Another aspect of the present invention relates to a system and methodfor flushing a water supply system using high pressure jetting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Almost all water providers are required to have their water mains largeenough to provide a sufficient flow for fire suppression. This meansthat the flow rate or velocities in the large mains during normal useare reduced significantly, allowing particulates that are suspended inthe water to settle to the bottom of the pipe and also substances suchas iron, manganese, bio-film, etc. (collectively “substances”) to adhereto the inside surfaces of the pipe. After a length, of time the settledparticulates and substances, build up and, if there are any surges inthe system, the particulates and substances, are stirred up and therebyincrease the turbidity in the water. To address this issue and minimizethe potential turbidity in the water, the piping system may be flushedperiodically from hydrants and blow-offs located throughout the system.However, this method wastes millions of gallons of water each year, maycause property damage, flood streets causing traffic problems, and isusually performed at night to avoid the public eye, making the flushingprocedure costly.

In addition to the above problems, new regulations require that thewater be de-chlorinated before it is allowed to drain into any stormdrainage system. A NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge EliminationSystem) permit is required and containment systems need to be in placeto protect against washing silt and other materials into the stormdrains.

From time to time, it is necessary to flush water systems which deliverpotable tap water. This is especially the case with newly installedwater mains. Before water passing through a water main can be used fordrinking water purposes, it is necessary to thoroughly flush the mainswith tap water. In order to maintain water quality, it is alsonecessary, from time to time, to flush local tap water delivery systemssuch as neighborhood and subdivision tap water systems.

Generally, discharges from potable water systems result from overflow,flushing, disinfection, hydrostatic testing, mechanical cleaning ordewatering of vessels or structures used to store or convey potablewater. This frequently includes fire hydrant flushing in which highvelocity streams are generated on the order of 2,000 gallons per minutefor a period of 10-15 minutes. By periodically testing fire hydrants(fire flow testing), it can be determined if sufficient water isavailable in the system for firefighting purposes.

Potable tap water usually contains residual chlorine. The Federal CleanWater Act and state agency regulations regarding discharges of potablewater, require that total maximum daily amount of residual chlorine mustbe less than 0.1 mg/liter. At levels higher than 0.1 mg/liter, aquaticlife is endangered and fish kills can occur. Since potable tap water andwater discharged from fire hydrants are typically chlorinated, heavydischarges of this water will adversely affect aquatic life unless theamount of residual chlorine is reduced to less than 0.1 mg/liter. In thepast, this was either not done or, when attempted, was done by injectingsodium sulfite into the discharge stream. This is a difficult process toperform and monitor because it is necessary to dispense sodium sulfitein controlled amounts according to the volume of water being treated. Ifthere is too much sodium sulfite, it can itself cause pollution problemsby interfering with pH levels and if the amount is insufficient, therewill be excessive residual chlorine. It has been found that theinjection approach requires not only highly skilled personnel, butextensive training. Moreover, the end result is unpredictable. Thus,while some attempts have been made at improving water main flushingsystems, the real problems of water waste and water quality still remainto be addressed.

The above-discussed issues may be compounded during “pigging”operations. Pigging in the context of pipelines refers to the practiceof using devices known as “pigs” to perform various maintenanceoperations. This normally cannot be done without stopping the flow ofthe product in the pipeline (usually oil and gas), or most often whenused in water pipes, only after the pipeline is drained. Theseoperations include but are not limited to cleaning, videoing/inspecting,GIS (locating), and leak detection from inside the pipeline.

Water industry personnel have been looking for ways to perform piggingwithout having to either dig up the water main, depressurize the main,impact the customer, or waste the water. Video pigs are normally camerasattached to a push-thru cable and most cleaning pigs are normallyattached to pull-thru cables. In each case, the pipes are cut into tocreate launch and recovery stations. Moreover, pigging potable waterpipes that carry drinking water has been performed since pipelines werecreated; but the one issue all pigging services have in common is thatthey always must depressurize the water main to insert the pig. Once thepigging was completed, the water main still needs to be flushed to wastebefore it can be put back into service, thus prolonging the downtime ofthe water main, as well as wasting water. Even more problematic, it hasbeen shown that once a main is de-pressurized, it is more susceptible toleaks in the future.

Video camera pig systems normally use an umbilical cable, which limitstravel to the amount of cable on hand, while others are configured asfree-flowing pigs inside the pipe. Similarly, geographic informationsystem (GIS) pigs and leak detection pigs may also be configured asfree-flowing pigs inside the pipe. As a result, each of these systemrequire launch and recovery points, depend on existing distributionflows inside the mains and can only be recovered by opening a firehydrant and wasting water (additional water is then wasted to flush themain when completed). Moreover, commercial servicers typically offeronly one of these above services, meaning that multiple servicers areneeded depending upon the type of service requested. A further drawbackto these systems is that the pigs can become lost within the pipesystem, and because water distribution mains are installed on almostevery street in every city, a grid of loops and dead-ends is createdthat is not conducive to installing entry and exit points fortraditional pigs.

What is needed is a system for periodically inspecting, cleaning andmaintaining water mains or other piping systems that does not requiredepressurization of the main, wasting the water, or dumping watercontaining chemicals and pipe sediments into the environment. Thepresent invention addresses these needs as well as other needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a pig launch andrecovery apparatus for use with a water supply system having a pluralityof sections including water mains, pipes, hydrants and valves isprovided. The apparatus comprises a flow tube having a first flow endconfigured to couple with a recirculating unit including a pump, anopposing second flow end configured to mount to a hydrant, and a mainflow valve located therebetween. The apparatus further includes a launchand recovery tube having a first launch end fluidly coupled to the flowtube between the first flow end and the main flow valve, and a secondlaunch end fluidly coupled to the flow tube between the main flow valveand the second flow end. The launch and recovery tube may also include afirst valve proximate the first launch end, a second valve proximate thesecond launch end, and a tube access door located therebetween. Thesecond launch end may also be coupled to the flow tube at an anglerelative to a longitudinal axis of the flow tube, wherein the angle isabout 45 degrees in one example. The flow tube also includes an angledscreen configured to form a secondary fluid pathway with the secondlaunch end of the launch and recovery tube, and the launch and recoverytube may further include a bleed valve located between the first valveand the second valve.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a closed conduit systemfor use in a water supply system having a plurality of sectionsincluding water mains, pipes, hydrants and valves is provided. Thesystem may comprise a recirculating unit including at least one pump andat least one filter. The system further includes a first pig launch andrecovery apparatus comprising a flow tube having a first flow endconfigured to fluidly couple with the recirculating unit, an opposingsecond flow end configured to be fluidly coupled to a first hydrant, anda main flow valve located therebetween. The first pig launch andrecovery apparatus further includes a launch and recovery tube having afirst launch end fluidly coupled to the flow tube between the first flowend and the main flow valve, and a second launch end fluidly coupled tothe flow tube between the main flow valve and the second flow end. Thesystem further includes a second pig launch and recovery apparatuscomprising a flow tube having a first flow end configured to fluidlycouple with the recirculating unit, an opposing second flow endconfigured to be fluidly coupled to a second hydrant, and a main flowvalve located therebetween. The second pig launch and recovery apparatusfurther includes a launch and recovery tube having a first launch endfluidly coupled to the flow tube between the first flow end and the mainflow valve, and a second launch end fluidly coupled to the flow tubebetween the main flow valve and the second flow end. An isolated sectionof the water supply system is defined between the first hydrant and thesecond hydrant, and the recirculating unit, the first pig launch andrecovery apparatus, the second pig launch and recovery apparatus and theisolated section form a closed recirculating fluid circuit.

The closed conduit system may further comprise a pig configured to beloaded into the launch and recovery tube of the first pig launch andrecovery apparatus, travel through the isolated section of the watersupply system, and be retrieved at the launch and recovery tube of thesecond pig launch and recovery apparatus. The pig may include one ormore of a camera, a global positioning sensor, a scrubber, a battery anda light. The recirculating unit may be mounted on a vehicle, such as alarge bobtail truck, semi-truck/trailer or a trailer.

In still another aspect of the present invention, a method for pigging asection of a water supply system having a plurality of sectionsincluding water mains, pipes, hydrants and valves is provided. Themethod comprises the steps of connecting a first pig launch and recoveryapparatus to the first hydrant; connecting a second pig launch andrecovery apparatus to the second hydrant; connecting a recirculatingunit to the first and second pig launch and recovery apparatuses tocreate a closed recirculating fluid circuit; isolating a section of awater supply system between a first hydrant and a second hydrant;loading a pig in the first pig launch and recovery apparatus; pumpingwater through the closed recirculating fluid circuit to drive the pigfrom the first pig launch and recovery apparatus to the second piglaunch and recovery apparatus; and removing the pig from the second piglaunch and recovery apparatus.

Each of the first pig launch and recovery apparatus and the second piglaunch and recovery apparatus comprise a flow tube having a first flowend configured to fluidly couple with a recirculating unit including apump, an opposing second flow end configured to be fluidly coupled tothe respective first or second hydrant, and a main flow valve locatedbetween the first flow end and the second flow end; and a launch andrecovery tube having a first launch end fluidly coupled to the flow tubebetween the first flow end and the main flow valve, and a second launchend fluidly coupled to the flow tube between the main flow valve and thesecond flow end. The pig may include one or more of a camera, a globalpositioning sensor, a scrubber, a battery and a light. The recirculatingunit may be mounted on a vehicle, such as a large bobtail truck,semi-truck/trailer or a trailer.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a pig apparatus for usewith a water supply system having a plurality of sections includingwater mains, pipes, hydrants and valves is provided. The pig apparatuscomprises a riser includes a first end and a second end. The pigapparatus also includes a drogue chute including a webbing canopyconnected to the first end of the riser through at least two suspensionlines, and a pig load connected to the second end of the riser. The pigload may include one or more of a camera, a global positioning sensor, ascrubber, a battery and a light. In one aspect, the pig apparatus mayfurther include a plurality of stabilizer guides coupled with the pigload. At least one pivoting mount may be connected to the pig load,wherein the plurality of stabilizer guides are coupled to the pig loadusing the at least one pivoting mount. In another aspect, the pig loadmay include a scrubber, wherein the scrubber includes a scrubber bodyhaving an outer surface, and wherein a plurality of spring wire brushesextend radially outwardly from the outer surface of the scrubber body.The plurality of spring wire brushes may collectively define a scrubbingunit having a first diameter that is greater than a second diameter of awater main that the pig apparatus is configured to be positioned within.

In still another aspect of the present invention, a high pressurejetting system for use with a water supply system having a plurality ofsections including water mains, pipes, hydrants and valves. The highpressure jetting system includes a recirculating unit configured toconnect to an isolated section of the water supply system between afirst point and a second point while the isolated section remains underwater supply system pressure. The recirculating unit includes at leastone filter unit defining a closed circuit that includes the isolatedsection and at least one pump unit capable of generating a circulatingflow of water. A first pig launch and recovery apparatus is configuredto couple the first point to the recirculating unit and a second piglaunch and recovery apparatus is configured to couple the second pointto the recirculating unit. A jetting unit includes a jetting headcoupled to a jetting hose. The jetting unit is configured to enter theclosed circuit through the second pig launch and recovery apparatus andtravel within the isolated section. The jetting head is configured toemit a plurality of water jets to assist removal of material from aninner surface of the water mains and pipes defining at least a portionof the isolated section.

In a further aspect of the present invention, the jetting unit may movein a counter-current flow direction from the second point to the firstpoint which is opposite to a normal flushing flow direction of thecirculating flow of water from the first point to the second point. Theremoved material may then move in the normal flushing flow direction tothe at least one filter unit whereby the removed material is filteredout of the circulating flow of water before the water returns to thefirst pig launch and recovery apparatus.

In another aspect of the present invention, the high pressure jettingsystem may also include a camera unit including a camera. The camera maybe configured to enter the closed circuit through the first pig launchand recovery apparatus. The camera may be initially configured to travelin the normal flushing flow direction until the camera is proximate thejetting unit, whereby the camera then moves in conjunction with thejetting unit in the counter-current flow direction so as to provide avisual output of the removal of material from the inner surface.

In still another aspect of the present invention, the water jets may beemitted at an angle relative to the jetting hose, where the angle may bebetween 30 degrees and 60 degrees. Also, the recirculating unit andjetting unit may be mounted on a vehicle. Additionally or alternatively,the recirculating unit may be mounted on a first vehicle while thejetting unit may be mounted on a second vehicle. And still further, therecirculating unit, jetting unit and camera unit may be mounted on oneor more vehicles, such as the recirculating unit being mounted on afirst vehicle, the jetting unit being mounted on a second vehicle andthe camera unit being mounted on a third vehicle.

In yet a further aspect of the present invention, the first point is afirst hydrant and the second point is a second hydrant, and each piglaunch and recovery apparatus may include a flow tube and launch andrecovery tube. Each flow tube has a first flow end, a second flow end,and a main flow valve located between the first flow end and the secondflow end. The first flow end is configured to be fluidly connected withthe recirculating unit and the second flow end is configured to befluidly connected with its respective hydrant. Each launch and recoverytube has a first launch end and a second launch end. The first launchend is fluidly connected to the flow tube between the first flow end andthe main flow valve and the second launch end is fluidly connected tothe flow tube between the main flow valve and the second flow end. Thecamera may enter the closed circuit through the second launch end of thefirst pig launch and recovery apparatus and the jetting unit may enterthe closed circuit through the second launch end of the second piglaunch and recovery apparatus.

In still another aspect of the present invention, a method for cleaningand flushing an isolated section of a water supply system having aplurality of sections including water mains, pipes, hydrants and valvesincludes: a) connecting a first pig launch and recovery apparatus to afirst hydrant; b) connecting a second pig launch and recovery apparatusto a second hydrant; c) connecting a recirculating unit to the first andsecond pig launch and recovery apparatuses to create a closed circuitincluding the isolated section and the recirculating unit, wherein therecirculating unit includes at least one filter unit and at least onepump unit capable of generating a circulating flow of water from thefirst pig launch and recovery apparatus to the second pig launch andrecovery apparatus; d) loading a jetting unit into the second pig launchand recovery apparatus; and e) providing a high pressure fluid to thejetting unit to drive the jetting unit from the second pig launch andrecovery apparatus toward the first pig launch and recovery apparatus,wherein the high pressure fluid is emitted as a plurality of water jetsfrom a jetting head to assist removal of material from an inner surfaceof the water mains and pipes defining at least a portion of the isolatedsection.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, the method may furtherinclude filtering the removed material from the circulating flow ofwater before the water returns to the first pig launch and recoveryapparatus and/or loading a camera unit including a camera into the firstpig launch and recovery apparatus, wherein the camera is initiallyconfigured to travel in the normal flushing flow direction until thecamera is proximate the jetting unit, whereby the camera then moves inconjunction with the jetting unit in the counter-current flow directionso as to provide a visual output of the removal of material from theinner surface of the water mains and pipes.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the presentinvention will be set forth in part in the description which follows,and will in part become apparent to those in the practice of theinvention, when considered with the attached figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other details of the invention will be described in connectionwith the accompanying drawing, which is furnished only by way ofillustration and not in limitation of the invention, and in whichdrawing:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a pig launch and recovery apparatus inaccordance with an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 1A is a top plan view of an alternative pig launch and recoveryapparatus in accordance with an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a closed conduit system for a municipalwater supply system employing a pair of pig launch and recoveryapparatuses in accordance with another aspect of the invention;

FIG. 2A is a schematic view of a closed conduit system for a privatefire water supply system employing a pair of pig launch and recoveryapparatuses in accordance with another aspect of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an embodiment of a pig for use within awater supply system;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an additional embodiment of a pig for usewithin a water supply system;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a closed system for a flushing a municipalwater supply system employing a water jetting system in accordance withanother aspect of the invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the jetting unit and camera used withinthe water jetting system shown in FIG. 5 ; and

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a method for cleaning and flushing anisolated section of a water supply system using high pressure jetting inaccordance with an aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in the drawings, with initial reference to FIG. 1 , a piglaunch and recovery apparatus for use with a water supply system isgenerally indicated by reference number 100. Pig launch and recoveryapparatus 100 includes a flow tube 102 having a first flow end 104 and asecond flow end 106. First flow end 104 includes a fitting 108 that isconfigured to be coupled to a recirculating unit 218, while second flowend 106 includes a fitting 110 that is configured to mount pig launchand recovery apparatus 100 to a hydrant 112 (see FIG. 2 ). Further, mainflow valve 114 is located between first flow end 104 and second flow end106, and operates to control the flow rate of water passing through flowtube 102.

Pig launch and recovery apparatus 100 further includes a launch andrecovery tube 116 having a first launch end 118 and a second launch end120. First launch end 118 is coupled in fluid communication with flowtube 102 between first flow end 104 and main flow valve 114, whilesecond launch end 120 is coupled in fluid communication with flow tube102 between second flow end 106 and main flow valve 114. Launch andrecovery tube 116 also includes a first valve 122 proximate first launchend 118, and a second valve 124 that is located proximate second launchend 120. A tube access door 126 is located between first and secondvalve 122, 124. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention,tube access door 126 is configured to allow a pig to be inserted intoand removed from launch and recovery tube 116, such as, but not limitedto, pigs 130 a, 130 b shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , as will be discussed ingreater detail below. To allow a user of apparatus 100 to see if pig 130a, 103 b is located in launch and recovery tube 116, tube access door126 may be constructed of a transparent, or translucent material, withnon-limiting examples including poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA),polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride and similar materials. Launch andrecovery tube 116 may also include a bleed valve 128 to relief pressurewithin launch and recovery tube 116 during insertion and removal of pig130 a, 130 b through tube access door 126.

As seen in FIG. 1 , launch and recovery tube 116 may include a firstportion 116′ which may be generally parallel to the longitudinal axis Lof flow tube 102 and a second portion 116″ which has a longitudinal axisL′ disposed at an angle A relative to axis L. Angle A may be anysuitable angle, and in accordance with one aspect of the presentinvention, may be between about 40 degrees and 50 degrees, and moreparticularly about 45 degrees. Flow tube 102 may further include anangled screen 132 configured to be disposed at angle A relative to axisL and coincide with an inner sidewall 134 of second portion 116″. Screen132 includes a plurality of through-holes which allow water to travelthrough flow tube 102 while defining a secondary fluid pathway 136 whichdirects pig 130 a, 130 b into or out of launch and recovery tube 116 aswill be discussed in greater detail below. It should be understood thatother types of guiding mechanisms may be used in addition to or insteadof screen 132 to guide pig 130 a, 130 b from recovery tube into flowtube 102.

Turning now to FIG. 1A, an alternative pig launch and recovery apparatusfor use with a water supply system is generally indicated by referencenumber 100 x. Pig launch and recovery apparatus 100 x is similar to piglaunch and recovery apparatus 100 described above in all respects exceptfor modifications to launch and recovery tube 116 x. As seen in FIG. 1A,launch and recovery tube 116 x may include a first portion 116 x′ whichmay be generally parallel to the longitudinal axis L of flow tube 102 xand a second portion 116 x″ which has a longitudinal axis L′ disposed atan angle A relative to axis L. Angle A may be any suitable angle, and inaccordance with one aspect of the present invention, may be betweenabout 40 degrees and 50 degrees, and more particularly about 45 degrees.Flow tube 102 x may further include an angled screen 132 x configured tobe disposed at angle A relative to axis L and coincide with an innersidewall 134 x of second portion 116 x″. Screen 132 x includes aplurality of through-holes which allow water to travel through flow tube102 x while defining a secondary fluid pathway 136 x which directs pig130 a, 130 b into or out of launch and recovery tube 116 x. It should beunderstood that other types of guiding mechanisms may be used inaddition to or instead of screen 132 x to guide pig 130 a, 130 b fromrecovery tube into flow tube 102 x.

Launch and recovery tube 116 x has a first launch end 118 x and a secondlaunch end 120 x. First launch end 118 x is coupled in fluidcommunication with flow tube 102 x via a flow conduit 119 x locatedbetween first flow end 104 x and main flow valve 114 x. Second launchend 120 x is coupled in fluid communication with flow tube 102 x asdescribed above. Flow conduit 119 x includes a first valve 122 x while asecond valve 124 x that is located proximate second launch end 120 x.Terminal end 118 x′ of first launch end 118 x is capped by a tube accessplug 126 x. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, plug126 x is a threaded coupling including a tube fitting 126 x′ and cap 126x″. By way of example and without limitation thereto, tube fitting 126x′ may be a Storz adapter while cap 126 x″ is a corresponding Storz cap.Plug 126 x is configured to allow pig 130 a, 120 b to be inserted intoand removed from launch and recovery tube 116 x after closing of firstvalve 122 x and second valve 124 x. Tube access door 126 and tube accessplug 126 x may be collectively and interchangeably referred to as a tubeaccess apparatus. Launch and recovery tube 116 x may also include ableed valve 128 x to relief pressure within launch and recovery tube 116x during insertion and removal of pig 130 a, 130 b.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 and 2A, in accordance with a further aspect ofthe present invention, a closed conduit system 200 conducts a flow ofwater (flow direction indicated by arrows) between a first point, e.g.,first hydrant 202 and a second point, e.g., second hydrant 204 in awater supply system 201. Water mains 206, 208, 210 and valves 212 andtrunk pipes 214, 216 are connected to hydrants 202, 204. As shown inFIG. 2A, water main 206 is a private fire water main receiving waterfrom a municipal water main 207. A back flow preventer 209 may be placedalong trunk pipe 217 to prevent water from private water main 206 fromentering the municipal water supply in municipal water main 207. Withcontinued reference to FIGS. 2 and 2A, closed system 200 conducts theflow of water out of the water supply system 201 at first hydrant 202,through a recirculating unit 218 and returns the flow of water back intowater supply system 201 at second hydrant 204. Recirculating unit 218includes at least one pump 220 to pump the flow of water through closedconduit system 200.

Closed conduit system 200 may further include a pair of pig launch andrecovery apparatuses 100 a and 100 b. It should be noted that whileshown and described as including pig launch and recovery apparatuses 100a and 100 b, one or both of pig launch and recovery apparatuses 100 aand 100 b may be swapped with a respective pig launch and recoveryapparatus 100 x as shown and described above with regard to FIG. 1A withequal effect. First pig launch and recovery apparatus 100 a may becoupled to first hydrant 202 at second flow end 106 a while first flowend 104 a is coupled to recirculating unit 218 via a hose 222 or othertype of conduit. Second pig launch and recovery apparatus 100 b may becoupled to second hydrant 204 at second flow end 106 b while first flowend 104 b is coupled to recirculating unit 218 via a hose 224 or othertype of conduit. In this manner, water main 206, trunk pipes 214, 216,recirculating unit 218, hydrants 202, 204, pig launch and recoveryapparatuses 100 a, 100 b and hoses 222, 224 create a closedrecirculating fluid circuit 226 whereby all of the flow of water takenfrom water supply system 201 is returned to the water supply system andno water is wasted or run off into the environment. It should be furthernoted that pig lunch and recovery apparatuses 100 a, 100 b, (100 x) andrecirculating unit 218 are coupled inline and pressurized via the watersupply system prior to isolation of water main 206 and trunk pipes 214,216 (i.e. prior to closing of all valves 212). Pump 220 is then poweredso as to generate and controlled flow of the isolated, pressurized waterwithin closed recirculating fluid circuit 226.

In a further aspect of the present invention, recirculating unit 218 mayalso include one or more in-line filter units 228 to receive the flow ofwater from water supply system 201 within closed recirculating fluidcircuit 226. Filter unit 228 may be a particulate filter or a granularactivated charcoal (carbon) filter (GAC filter), and multiple filterunits 228 may be serially connected, connected in parallel, orindependently turned on and off as desired, within closed recirculatingfluid circuit 226, as needed. In this manner, the one or more filterunits 228 may filter and/or adsorb the undesirable particulates or othermatter from the water so that water main 206 of water supply system 201is cleaned between the hydrants 202 and 204. All of the flow of watertaken from water supply system 201 is returned to water supply system201 free of all the undesirable matter and no water is wasted ordischarged into the environment.

Provision of pig launch and recovery apparatuses 100 a and 100 b allowsfor controlled introduction and removal of one or more pigs (e.g., pigs130 a, 130 b) depending upon the service needed/requested. As will bedescribed in greater detail below, a pig may be equipped with one ormore of a camera, a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, a scrubber,a battery and a light, such as an LED. In this manner, closed conduitsystem 200 can efficiently perform a number of services, including flowrate testing, flushing, scrubbing, disinfecting, videoing, globalinformation system (GIS) visualization, leak detection using a singlesystem without requiring depressurization of the water main or wastingof hundreds or thousands of gallons of water.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 , pigs 130 a, 130 b may generallyinclude a drogue chute 250 having a webbing canopy 252 connected to afirst end 254 of riser 256 using two or more suspension lines 258.Second end 260 of riser 256 is coupled to a pig load 262. With referenceto pig 130 a shown in FIG. 3 , the second end 260 of riser 256 may beconnected to pig load 262 using two connectors 261 that are attached toopposite front corners thereof.

As shown in FIG. 3 , pig 130 a may include a pig load 262 a having acamera 264 and one or more lights 266 housed within a camera case 268 toenable visual inspection of the interior of water main 206 and trunkpipes 214, 216. In one aspect of the invention, lights 266 are lightemitting diodes (LEDs) used to illuminate the pipe walls. A battery 270is coupled to camera case 268 so as to provide electrical power tocamera 264 and lights 266. Battery 270 may be included within cameracase 268 or may be housed with a battery case 272. Battery case 272 maybe rigidly of flexibly connected to camera case 268. In one aspect ofthe invention, battery case 272 is moveably or flexibly coupled tocamera case 268 to allow pig load 262 a to bend or flex whenencountering a curve or turning corners as pig 130 a passes throughclosed recirculating fluid circuit 226.

As further seen in FIG. 3 , camera case 268 may further include aplurality of stabilizer guides 274 configured to center pig load 262 awithin water main 206 and trunk pipes 214, 216. Stabilizer guides 274may be mounted to camera case 268 using respective pivoting mounts 276located adjacent to opposite front corners thereof. Stabilizer guides274 may be elongated wire members that extend the length of pig load262. Distal ends of each stabilizer guide 274 may have a ball 275coupled thereto. Pivoting mounts 276 allow pig load 262 a to rotatewithin, and stay positioned within, stabilizer guides 274 so that pigload 262 a maintains it centered orientation as pig 130 a travels aroundcurves or bends or has its flow reversed in the event that pig 130 abecomes stuck or lodged within water main 206 or trunk pipe 214, 216. Inone example, there may be two stabilizer guides 274 a, 274 b extendingfrom one pivoting mount 276 a, and two stabilizer guides 274 c, 274 dextending from another pivoting mount 276 b. Stabilizer guides 274 a,274 b may extend to one side of pig load 262 and below pig load 262,respectively. Stabilizer guides 274 c, 274 d may extend to the otherside of pig load 262 and above pig load 262, respectively. In thisrespect, stabilizer guides 274 a-d surround pig load 262 and operate toposition pig load 262 generally in the middle or central location as ittravels through the pipe.

Turning now to FIG. 4 , an alternative or additional pig 130 b includesa pig load 262 b comprising one or more scrubbers 278 coupled to secondend 260 of riser 256. Scrubbers 278 may include a plurality of springwire brushes 280 extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of ascrubber body 282. In accordance with an aspect of the presentinvention, a diameter D of scrubber 278 may be slightly larger than adiameter of the largest pipe comprising the water main 206 and trunkpipes 214, 216. In this manner, brushes 280 may flex within water main206 and trunk pipes 214, 216 such that wire ends 284 scour the innersurface of the pipes, thereby dislodging materials affixed to the innerwalls of water main 206 and trunk pipes 214, 216. Pig load 262 b mayalso include a tracking device 286 (e.g., a GPS sensor) to locate andtrack the position of pig 130 b within closed recirculating fluidcircuit 226.

In use, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 2A, a method for pigging a sectionof a water supply system comprises the steps of connecting a first piglaunch and recovery apparatus is connected to the first hydrant, such asby coupling second flow end 106 a of first pig launch and recoveryapparatus 100 a to first hydrant 202, and connecting a second pig launchand recovery apparatus to second hydrant 204, such as by coupling secondflow end 106 b of second pig launch and recovery apparatus 100 b tosecond hydrant 204. Recirculating unit 218 is then connected to thefirst and second pig launch and recovery apparatuses 100 a, 100 b, suchas via respective hoses 222, 224 and first flow ends 104 a, 104 b. Atthis point, water may flow though closed recirculating fluid circuit 226under water supply high pressure. Next, a section of a water supplysystem is isolated between the first hydrant and the second hydrant,such as by closing valves 212 to create a closed recirculating fluidcircuit 226. Thus, an isolated section of water main 206 is definedbetween trunk pipes 214, 216 and first and second hydrants 202, 204.Pump 220 within recirculating unit 218 may then initiate and controlflow of the pressurized water within closed recirculating fluid circuit226.

To pig the isolated section of water main 206, with reference to FIGS.2-4 , a pig 130 a, 130 b is loaded into second pig launch and recoveryapparatus 100 b. To load the pig, first and second valves 122 b, 124 bare closed and tube access door 126 b (tube access cap 126 x) is openedso that pig 130 a, 130 b can placed within first portion 116 b′ oflaunch and recovery tube 116 b. (Prior to opening tube access door 126b, bleed valve 128 b may be opened to relieve any water/air pressurewithin launch and recovery tube 116 b). Once pig 130 a, 130 b isinserted, tube access door 126 b is closed and first and second valves122 b, 124 b are opened. Water will then flow into launch and recoverytube 116 b and propel pig 130 a, 130 b out of second portion 116 b″ oflaunch and recovery tube 116 b, guided by screen 132, and into closedrecirculating fluid circuit 226 at second hydrant 204. Pig 130 a, 130 bwill then travel through trunk pipe 216, water main 206 and trunk pipe214 to first hydrant 202.

To remove pig 130 a, 130 b from first pig launch and recovery apparatus100 b, first and second valves 122 a, 124 a are opened and tube accessdoor 126 a is closed. Pig 130 a, 130 b exits first hydrant 202 and,through interaction with angled screen 132, is directed into secondaryfluid pathway 136 a of second portion 116 a″ of launch and recovery tube116 a. Once the pig is disposed in first portion 116 a′, first andsecond valves 122 a, 124 a are closed and tube access door 126 a isopened so that pig 130 a, 130 b can be extract from first pig launch andrecovery apparatus 100 a. Prior to opening tube access door 126 a, bleedvalve 128 a may be opened to relieve any water/air pressure withinlaunch and recovery tube 116 a.

From the above description, one skilled in the art would recognize thata variety of pigs may serially be added and removed from the system toperform multiple functions during a single operation. By way of exampleand without limitation thereto, closed conduit system 200 may be flushedwithout a pig to remove sediment collected in pipes or to test systemflow rates to ensure compliance with fire protection flow requirements.Scrubber pig 130 b may then be launched and recovered such that trunkpipes 214, 216 and water main 206 are scoured clean of internalbuild-up. Camera pig 130 a, with optional leak detection capabilities,may then be launched and recovered so that the internal surface of thepipes can be inspected and monitored for potential failure and need forreplacement. GPS sensors and GIS functionality may assist in locatingthe exact location of a leak or weakness so that the pipe may beuncovered and repaired without requiring overly extensive digging ordisruption of the surface.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 , a high pressure jetting system 300 foruse with water supply system 201 having a plurality of sectionsincluding water mains 206, 208, 210, pipes 214, 216, hydrants 202, 204and valves 212 as described above. High pressure jetting system 300includes a recirculating unit 218 configured to connect to an isolatedsection 206, 214, 216 (collectively, isolated section 217) of the watersupply system 201 between a first point (e.g., hydrant 202) and a secondpoint (e.g., hydrant 204) while the isolated section remains under watersupply system pressure. As described above, recirculating unit 218includes at least one filter unit 228 defining a closed circuit 226 thatincludes the isolated section 217 and at least one pump unit 220 capableof generating a circulating flow of water generally indicated via arrows221. A first pig launch and recovery apparatus 100 a is configured tocouple the first point (hydrant 202) to recirculating unit 218 and asecond pig launch and recovery apparatus 100 b is configured to couplethe second point (hydrant 204) to recirculating unit 218.

As shown in FIG. 5 , high pressure jetting system 300 includes a jettingunit 302 having a jetting head 304 coupled to a jetting hose 306.Jetting unit 302 is configured to enter closed circuit 226 throughsecond pig launch and recovery apparatus 100 b (such as via launch andrecovery tube 116 b) and travel within isolated section 217. As furthershown in FIG. 6 , jetting head 304 is configured to receive a highpressure fluid (water) and emit a plurality of water jets 308 to assistremoval of material from an inner surface 206 a of water main 206.Material may also be removed from inner surface 214 a, 216 a of pipes214, 216, respectively. In accordance with an aspect of the presentinvention, jetting head 304 may emit water jets 308 at angle J relativeto jetting hose 306. By way of example and without limitation thereto,while any angle may be utilized, water jets 308 are typically emittedhaving angles J between about 30 degrees and 60 about degrees.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the flowrate of water jets 308 exceeds the flow rate of circulating flow ofwater 221. As a result, jetting unit 302 is configured to move in acounter-current flow direction 321 from second point (hydrant 204) tofirst point (hydrant 202). In this manner, jetting unit 302 may progressalong isolated section 217 while circulating flow of water 221 operatesto flush removed material 310 in the normal flushing flow direction tothe at least one filter unit 228 on board recirculation unit 218.Removed material 310 may then be filtered out of circulating flow ofwater 221 before the water returns to first pig launch and recoveryapparatus 100 a (and isolated section 217) for re-entry into water main206.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, highpressure jetting system 300 may include one or more additional roughfilter (e.g., pre-filter) units 230 placed inline closed circuit 226between second pig launch and recovery apparatus 100 b and filter unit228. Rough filter units 230 may generally comprise filter subunits 232having a coarse basket screen. Each coarse basket screen may, forexample and without limitation thereto, include a mesh having pore sizeson the order of 0.0625 inches (1.6 mm). Thus, as jetting unit 302dislodges material 310, any particles larger than the pore size (e.g.,0.0625 inches), will be retained within rough filter unit 230 beforecirculating flow of water 221 passes into filter unit 228. Filter unit228 may then include filter bag subunits 228 a having mesh sizes on theorder of 1-200 micron. Thus, circulating flow of water 221 sequentiallypasses through rough filter units 230, and then filter units 228, beforereentering water main 206 as generally sediment-free water. In stillanother aspect, rough filter units 230 may be cleaned and reused “on thefly.” In other words, an individual filter subunit 232 may be removedfrom its rough filter unit 230, cleaned, and returned to rough filterunit 230, all while pump 220 maintains circulating flow of water 221.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, highpressure jetting system 300 may also include a camera unit 312 includinga camera 314. Camera 314 may be configured to enter closed circuit 226through first pig launch and recovery apparatus 100 a (such as vialaunch and recovery tube 116 a) such that camera 314 initially travelsin the normal flushing flow direction of circulating flow of water 221until camera 314 is proximate to jetting unit 302. Camera 314 may thenmove in conjunction with jetting unit 302 in the counter-current flowdirection 321 Camera 314 may then provide a visual output of the removalof material 310 from inner surface 206 a.

To facilitate controlled travel of jetting unit 302, jetting hose 306may be wound around a spool 316 whereby travel along counter-currentflow direction 321 may be regulated via selectively unspooling ofjetting hose 306. By way of example, jetting hose 306 may becontrollably advanced along isolated section 217 only after the imagecaptured by camera 314 indicates that a desired/sufficient amount ofmaterial 310 has been removed from inner surface 206 a. Once theentirety (or desired amount) of isolated section 217 has been cleanedwith jetting unit 302, the supply of high pressure fluid to jetting hose306 may be terminated and spool 316 may be rewound. As a result, jettinghose and jetting head 304 may be extracted from isolated section 217 vialaunch and recovery tube 116 b.

Similarly, camera 314 may be mounted onto a camera cord 318 which is, inturn, wound around a camera spool 320. Passive travel of camera 314along circulating flow of water 221 may be regulated via selectivelyunspooling of camera cord 318. By way of example, camera cord 318 may becontrollably unspooled from spool 320 until camera 314 is proximatejetting head 304. As jetting head 304 is advanced as described above,camera cord 318 may be rewound so as to maintain a distance D betweencamera 314 and jetting head 304 (see FIG. 6 ) while also permittingcamera 314 to record images of water jets 308 and inner surface 206 a.Once the entirety (or desired amount) of isolated section 217 has beencleaned with jetting unit 302, camera 314 may be extracted from isolatedsection 217 via launch and recovery tube 116 a by fully rewinding cameraspool 320.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, high pressurejetting system 300 including recirculating unit 218 and jetting unit 302may be mounted on a single vehicle, such as vehicle 400. Alternatively,recirculating unit 218 may be mounted on vehicle 400 while jetting unit302 is mounted on a second vehicle 402. Still further, recirculatingunit 218 may be mounted on vehicle 400, jetting unit 302 may be mountedon second vehicle 402 and camera unit 312 may be mounted on a thirdvehicle 404. Rough filter units 230 may be mounted onto vehicle 400,second vehicle 402, or may be mounted onto a fourth vehicle 406, and mayinclude a stand-alone vehicle or trailer 406 a configured to be towed byvehicle 400 or second vehicle 402.

Turning now to FIG. 7 , a method 700 for cleaning and flushing anisolated section of a water supply system having a plurality of sectionsincluding water mains, pipes, hydrants and valves may comprise: 702)connecting a first pig launch and recovery apparatus to a first hydrant;704) connecting a second pig launch and recovery apparatus to a secondhydrant; 706) connecting a recirculating unit to the first and secondpig launch and recovery apparatuses to create a closed circuit includingthe isolated section and the recirculating unit, wherein therecirculating unit includes at least one filter unit and at least onepump unit capable of generating a circulating flow of water from thefirst pig launch and recovery apparatus to the second pig launch andrecovery apparatus; 708) loading a jetting unit into the second piglaunch and recovery apparatus; and 710) providing a high pressure fluidto the jetting unit to drive the jetting unit from the second pig launchand recovery apparatus toward the first pig launch and recoveryapparatus, wherein the high pressure fluid is emitted as a plurality ofwater jets from a jetting head to assist removal of material from aninner surface of the water mains and pipes defining at least a portionof the isolated section.

As described above with regard to high pressure jetting system 300, thejetting unit is driven in a counter-current flow direction from thesecond point to the first point which is opposite to a normal flushingflow direction of the circulating flow of water from the first point tothe second point. Removed material then moves in the normal flushingflow direction to the at least one filter unit. Thus, method 700 mayfurther include step 712, filtering the removed material from thecirculating flow of water before the water returns to the first piglaunch and recovery apparatus.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, method 700may still further include step 714, loading a camera unit including acamera into the first pig launch and recovery apparatus, wherein thecamera is initially configured to travel in the normal flushing flowdirection until the camera is proximate the jetting unit, whereby thecamera then moves in conjunction with the jetting unit in thecounter-current flow direction so as to provide a visual output of theremoval of material from the inner surface of the water mains and pipes.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one welladapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forthtogether with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherentto the system and method. It will be understood that certain featuresand sub combinations are of utility and may be employed withoutreference to other features and sub combinations. This is contemplatedby and is within the scope of the claims. Since many possibleembodiments of the invention may be made without departing from thescope thereof, it is also to be understood that all matters herein setforth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted asillustrative and not limiting.

The constructions described above and illustrated in the drawings arepresented by way of example only and are not intended to limit theconcepts and principles of the present invention. As used herein, theterms “having” and/or “including” and other terms of inclusion are termsindicative of inclusion rather than requirement.

While the invention has been described with reference to preferredembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof to adapt to particular situations without departingfrom the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that theinvention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as thebest mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that theinvention will include all embodiments falling within the scope andspirit of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for cleaning and flushing a section of awater supply system, the section including at least one water main, afirst hydrant, a second hydrant, and at least one valve, the methodcomprising: a) connecting a first pig launch and recovery apparatus tothe first hydrant included in the water supply system; b) connecting asecond pig launch and recovery apparatus to the second hydrant includedin the water supply system; c) connecting a recirculating unit to thefirst pig launch and recovery apparatus and the second pig launch andrecovery apparatus to connect to the section of the water supply systembetween a first point and a second point thereby defining a circuit,wherein the recirculating unit includes at least one filter unit and atleast one pump unit generating a circulating flow of water in a firstflow direction from the first pig launch and recovery apparatus to thesecond pig launch and recovery apparatus, and wherein the sectionremains under continuous water supply system pressure throughout thecleaning and flushing; d) loading a jetting unit into the second piglaunch and recovery apparatus while the section remains under continuouswater supply system pressure, wherein the jetting unit includes ajetting head and a jetting hose; and e) providing a high pressure fluidto the jetting unit to drive the jetting unit in a second flow directionfrom the second pig launch and recovery apparatus toward the first piglaunch and recovery apparatus while the at least one pump unit isgenerating the circulating flow of water in the first flow direction,wherein the second flow direction is opposite of the first flowdirection, wherein the high pressure fluid is emitted as a plurality ofwater jets from the jetting head to assist removal of material from aninner surface of at least a portion of the section.
 2. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the removed material moves in the first flow directionto the at least one filter unit, and wherein the method further includesthe step of: f) filtering the removed material from the circulating flowof water before the water returns to the first pig launch and recoveryapparatus.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the method further includesthe step of: loading a camera unit including a camera into the first piglaunch and recovery apparatus, wherein the camera is configured totravel in the first flow direction.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein theplurality of water jets are emitted at an angle relative to the jettinghose.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the angle is between 30 degreesand 60 degrees.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the recirculating unitis mounted on a first vehicle and the jetting unit is mounted on asecond vehicle.
 7. The method of claim 3 wherein the recirculating unit,the jetting unit and the camera unit are mounted on one or morevehicles.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the recirculating unit ismounted on a first vehicle, the jetting unit is mounted on a secondvehicle and the camera unit is mounted on a third vehicle.
 9. The methodof claim 1 wherein the first point is the first hydrant and the secondpoint is the second hydrant, and wherein each pig launch and recoveryapparatus comprises: a flow tube having a first flow end, a second flowend, and a main flow valve located between the first flow end and thesecond flow end, wherein the first flow end is configured to be fluidlyconnected with the recirculating unit, and wherein the second flow endis configured to be fluidly connected with its respective hydrant; and alaunch and recovery tube having a first launch end and a second launchend, wherein the first launch end is fluidly connected to the flow tubebetween the first flow end and the main flow valve, and wherein thesecond launch end is fluidly connected to the flow tube between the mainflow valve and the second flow end, wherein the jetting unit enters thecircuit through the second launch end of the second pig launch andrecovery apparatus.
 10. The method of claim 3 wherein the first point isthe first hydrant and the second point is the second hydrant, andwherein each pig launch and recovery apparatus comprises: a flow tubehaving a first flow end, a second flow end, and a main flow valvelocated between the first flow end and the second flow end, wherein thefirst flow end is configured to be fluidly connected with therecirculating unit, and wherein the second flow end is configured to befluidly connected with its respective hydrant; and a launch and recoverytube having a first launch end and a second launch end, wherein thecamera enters the circuit through the second launch end of the first piglaunch and recovery apparatus, and wherein the jetting unit enters thecircuit through the second launch end of the second pig launch andrecovery apparatus.
 11. The method of claim 1 further comprising thestep of placing one or more rough filter units inline with the circuitbetween the second pig launch and recovery apparatus and the at leastone filter unit.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the recirculatingunit is mounted on a first vehicle and the jetting unit is mounted on asecond vehicle, and wherein the one or more rough filter units aremounted on the first vehicle, the second vehicle, or on a third vehicle.13. The method of claim 12 wherein the third vehicle is a trailer towedby either the first vehicle or the second vehicle.
 14. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the first point is the first hydrant and the secondpoint is the second hydrant.
 15. The method of claim 1 wherein thesection is one of a plurality of sections of the water supply system,wherein each of the plurality of sections includes a plurality of watermains, pipes, hydrants and valves.
 16. A method for cleaning andflushing a section of a water supply system, the section including atleast one water main, the method comprising: a) connecting a first piglaunch and recovery apparatus to a first point included in the watersupply system; b) connecting a second pig launch and recovery apparatusto a second point included in the water supply system; c) connecting arecirculating unit to the first pig launch and recovery apparatus andthe second pig launch and recovery apparatus to connect to the sectionof the water supply system between the first point and the second pointthereby defining a circuit, wherein the recirculating unit includes atleast one filter unit and at least one pump unit generating acirculating flow of water in a first flow direction from the first piglaunch and recovery apparatus to the second pig launch and recoveryapparatus, and wherein the section remains under continuous water supplysystem pressure throughout the cleaning and flushing; d) loading ajetting unit into the second pig launch and recovery apparatus while thesection remains under continuous water supply system pressure, whereinthe jetting unit includes a jetting head and a jetting hose; and e)providing a high pressure fluid to the jetting unit to drive the jettingunit in a second flow direction from the second pig launch and recoveryapparatus toward the first pig launch and recovery apparatus while theat least one pump unit is generating the circulating flow of water inthe first flow direction, wherein the second flow direction is oppositeof the first flow direction, wherein the high pressure fluid is emittedas a plurality of water jets from the jetting head to assist removal ofmaterial from an inner surface of at least a portion of the section. 17.The method of claim 16 wherein the removed material moves in the firstflow direction to the at least one filter unit, and wherein the methodfurther includes the step of: f) filtering the removed material from thecirculating flow of water before the water returns to the first piglaunch and recovery apparatus.
 18. The method of claim 16 wherein themethod further includes the step of: loading a camera unit including acamera into the first pig launch and recovery apparatus, wherein thecamera is configured to travel in the first flow direction.
 19. Themethod of claim 16 wherein the plurality of water jets are emitted at anangle relative to the jetting hose.
 20. The method of claim 19 whereinthe angle is between 30 degrees and 60 degrees.
 21. The method of claim16 wherein the recirculating unit is mounted on a first vehicle and thejetting unit is mounted on a second vehicle.
 22. The method of claim 18wherein the recirculating unit, the jetting unit and the camera unit aremounted on one or more vehicles.
 23. The method of claim 22 wherein therecirculating unit is mounted on a first vehicle, the jetting unit ismounted on a second vehicle and the camera unit is mounted on a thirdvehicle.
 24. The method of claim 16 wherein the section includes a firsthydrant and a second hydrant, wherein the first point is the firsthydrant and the second point is the second hydrant, and wherein each piglaunch and recovery apparatus comprises: a flow tube having a first flowend, a second flow end, and a main flow valve located between the firstflow end and the second flow end, wherein the first flow end isconfigured to be fluidly connected with the recirculating unit, andwherein the second flow end is configured to be fluidly connected withits respective hydrant; and a launch and recovery tube having a firstlaunch end and a second launch end, wherein the first launch end isfluidly connected to the flow tube between the first flow end and themain flow valve, and wherein the second launch end is fluidly connectedto the flow tube between the main flow valve and the second flow end,wherein the jetting unit enters the circuit through the second launchend of the second pig launch and recovery apparatus.
 25. The method ofclaim 18 wherein the section includes a first hydrant and a secondhydrant, wherein the first point is the first hydrant and the secondpoint is the second hydrant, and wherein each pig launch and recoveryapparatus comprises: a flow tube having a first flow end, a second flowend, and a main flow valve located between the first flow end and thesecond flow end, wherein the first flow end is configured to be fluidlyconnected with the recirculating unit, and wherein the second flow endis configured to be fluidly connected with its respective hydrant; and alaunch and recovery tube having a first launch end and a second launchend, wherein the camera enters the circuit through the second launch endof the first pig launch and recovery apparatus, and wherein the jettingunit enters the circuit through the second launch end of the second piglaunch and recovery apparatus.
 26. The method of claim 16 furthercomprising the step of placing one or more rough filter units inlinewith the circuit between the second pig launch and recovery apparatusand the at least one filter unit.
 27. The method of claim 26 wherein therecirculating unit is mounted on a first vehicle and the jetting unit ismounted on a second vehicle, and wherein the one or more rough filterunits are mounted on the first vehicle, the second vehicle, or on athird vehicle.
 28. The method of claim 27 wherein the third vehicle is atrailer towed by either the first vehicle or the second vehicle.
 29. Themethod of claim 16 wherein the section includes a first hydrant and asecond hydrant, wherein the first point is the first hydrant and thesecond point is the second hydrant.
 30. The method of claim 16 whereinthe section is one of a plurality of sections of the water supplysystem, wherein each of the plurality of sections includes a pluralityof water mains, pipes, hydrants and valves.